EVALUATION OF SITE QUALITY FOR DAHURIAN LARCH FORESTS

INTRODUCTIONSitequalityisoneofthemostimpor-tantfactorsinfluencingtheproductivityofforeststands.Eva1uatingsitequalityisba-sictostudystandgrowthanddeviseman-agementtreatments.Basisofsitequalityissoil,whichhasacontrollinginfluenceontheforestproductivity-Soilpropertieschangeslowlyovertime,andsoilindexcanbeappliedincutover,deforested,andnonforestedareasinadditiontoareaswheretimberstandsarepresent.Underundisturbed,naturalconditions,somein-dicatorplantscomprisingthelesservegeta-tionmaybeassociat…     

Dynamic feature of flavonoids content in different organs of larch （Larix gmelinii）

Flavonoids in plants is very important in its ecological role and economic value. The dynamic features of flavonoids content in different organs of larch (Larix gmelinii) at different light and temperature conditions were investigated in this study. Results showed that the order of flavonoids content in different organs from high to low was 7.78% (stem bark)>2.79% (leaves) >1.72% (branches) >1.19% (stem xylem)and different organs had a great seasonal variation in flavonoids content, but the change of flavonoids content at different temperature was not obvious in different organs., The content of flavonoids in barck had, a positive correlation with temperature (R ²=0.75), but that in other organs had slight variation with the change of temperature. For all the tested organs, the flavonoids content in summer and autumn was approximately 3–4 times higher than in spring and winter. This is attributed to the great stress from environmental physical variables such as UV radiation, high temperature that induce the accumulation of flavonoids. The flavonoid content of sun leaves was evidently higher than that of shade leaves, and leaves at upper part of canopy had a higher flavonoids content compared with that at other parts. This result indicates that sun radiation could improve flavonoids production in leaves (R ²=0.76). The flavonoids may actively evolve in plant defenses to environmental stress, protecting larch from the damage of high temperature and radiation, and its main function is different in different organs. Foundation item: This paper is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30300271) and the Key Project of Chinese Ministry of Education (104191). Biography: WANG Wen-jie (1974-), male, Lecturer in Key Laboratory of Forest Plant Ecology, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, P. R. China. Responsible editor: Zhu Hong     

Relationships between larch growth and forest site factors

Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii Rupr.) Rupr is one of the dominant species in both natural and man-made forests in northeast China. Effects of site factors, including topography, soil properties and nutrient elements (P, Ca, K, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ag, Co and Ni) on the growth of larch were analyzed in detail, qualitatively and quantitatively. The ordination technique was used to group the site factors and to classify sites for larch. Analysis indicated that height growth, diameter (DBH) and volume of the larch varied among site types and this will be of theoretical and practical significance in developing larch plantations.     

Reflectance features of water stressed Larix gmelinii needles

In recent years, Xing’an larch (Larix gmelinii) has been seriously infected by pests and drought. In order to improve the accuracy of monitoring the damage to larch by remote sensing (RS) and to predict the health of the larch, we studied the reflectance features of larch needles under different water conditions at the needle level by using the LIBERTY (Leaf Incorporating Biochemistry Exhibiting Reflectance and Transmittance Yields) model. Before applying the LIBERTY model, we recalibrated it for the needles of L. gmelinii based on ten field-measured spectral curves. After recalibration, LIBERTY can accurately model the needle reflectance spectra of L. gmelinii. Based on the recalibrated LIBERTY model, we extracted and analyzed the sensitive bands to needle water content by simulating the needle reflectance spectra under different drought conditions. Then, we established mathematical equations between the spectral indices (MSI, NDWI, and GVMI) and needle water content. Results show that the variations of larch needle water content can significantly change the needle spectra at the near-infrared and short-wave infrared bands. The higher the water content is, the higher the absorption peak is. We believe that our study will provide the theoretical basis and an optional method to investigate the forest water stress using multi-spectral or hyper-spectral remote sensing data.     

阿尔山地区兴安落叶松林下植物种群生态位

将由林龄(AG)、海拔(AL)以及物种数目(IS)组合而成的综合资源位指数(RGI)作为资源轴的划分标准,应用Levins(B_(sw)i)和Shannon-Wiener(B_(L)i)生态位宽度指数,生态位重叠指数(L_ih和L_hi)以及生态位相似性比例指数(C_ih)等将阿尔山地区不同起源的兴安落叶松林(天然林、人工林及火烧迹地恢复林)划分为6个资源位,在此基础上进行群落调查,对林下植物种群的生态位进行了定量分析。结果表明:兴安苔草和黑麦草的重要值最大,不同资源位重要值之和达到114.924 8%和70.911 1%。生态位宽度较大的有北方拉拉藤、粗根老鹳草、黑麦草及兴安苔草,这些物种适应能力强,分布范围大,倾向于泛化种。生态位狭小的植物种群则可能成为林区进行植物多样性保护的重点,需要引起特别关注。本研究证实生态位宽度较大种群与其他种群存在较大的生态位重叠和相似性,而这在某些重要值较低且生态位宽度较窄的种群也会出现(如铁杆蒿、黄花委陵菜及巴天酸模),生态位重叠和相似性并非仅仅取决于生态位宽度。生态位重叠既能反映两种群在共享资源时的竞争关系,也能反映两者在利用资源时相互促进的关系。生态位宽度较大的植物种可作为植被恢复阶段的先锋种,而与其生态位重叠较大的物种以及与先锋种生态位相似性比例较小的物种则可作为伴生种,以便于充分利用环境资源,逐步恢复受损地区的植被。     

THE STUDY ON SITE QUALITY EVALUATION FOR DAHURIAN LARCH(LARIX GMELINII RUPR.)

Site quality of larch(Larix gmelinii Rupr.)in Da Xingan Mountain in InnerMongolia was studied systematically with about 1000 temporary plots and computersoftware.The nature of site class and site index curve was discussed in view of generalmathematical model of height growth.The height growth of dominant tree of four divisionsof forest stands were studied and site index tables were constructed respectively.In orderto unify the comparing standard and convenience for management in this region,site indextable was constucted too.Based on discussing the action and accuracy of forest type,aseries of site quality evaluation(forest type-site index class-site index)was suggested.     

Electroantennogram responses of Dendrolimus superans (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) to six volatiles of Larix gmelinii

Dendrolimus superans is one of the important pests feeding on the needles of Larix gmelinii. Six standard compounds, (1R)-(−)-α-pinene, (1S)-(−)-α-pinene, ocimene, (1S)-(−)-β-pinene, R(−)-α-phellandrene and camphene, the main volatiles of L. gmelinii were used to test the electroantennogram (EAG) responses of moths. The results show that the order of the EAG responses of moths to seven concentrations of these six compounds were as follows: mated females > virgin females > unmated males, except for 0.1 μL/μL R(−)-α-phellandrene, where the order was: virgin females > mated females > unmated males. There are statistically significant differences between the EAG responses of virgin females and unmated males (p < 0.05), and also between mated females with virgin females and mated females and unmated males (p < 0.01), which suggests that the mated females are more sensitive to the volatiles of host plant. The results of EAG responses of the mated females, virgin females and unmated males indicate that they are more sensitive to R(−)-α-phellandrene than to the other volatile components. The active time for the EAG responses of both mated females and unmated males occurs during the night, i.e., from 20:00 to 04:00 hours. This is consistent with their eclosion, mating and oviposition periods. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2007, 43(7): 55–60 [译自:林业科学]     

长白落叶松工业纤维林立地控制技术的研究

通过室外样地调查和室内木材材性分析及硫酸盐制浆实验,研究了不同立地条件下长白落叶松工业纤维林的生长过程、木材纤维特性、化学组成、物理性质和制浆特点,指出了立地条件对林分生长、木材纤维含量、纤维长度、纤维长宽比、得浆率、纸浆物理强度的影响。结果表明,长白落叶松工业纤维林生长最佳的立地条件是山地下部Ⅰ、Ⅱ地位级。立地条件对木材材性和纸浆特性有直接影响。在研究的林分密度和立地条件范围内,立地条件越差,木材纤维含量越少,纤维长度越短,纤维长宽比越小,1%NaOH提取物越多。而且这种现象有随林龄增长而加重的趋势。但立地条件对得浆率和纸浆的物理强度影响不明显。综合林分生长和木材材性,长白落叶松工业纤维林的培育最好在山地下部Ⅰ地位级和Ⅱ地位级的立地条件下进行。表4参17。     

Effects site conditions on industrial fiber plantations of Lar/x olgensis

Plot sampling was conducted in the second cultivation areas ofLarix olgensis in Heilongjiang Province, China. By analyzing plot investigation data, wood properties, and kraft pulps of 840 plots and 248 sample trees in industrial plantations of L. olgensis on different sites, we examined the growth process of L. olgensis industrial plantation with suitable structure, the wood fiber feature, chemical composition, physical performance and pulp characteristics. It is suggested that site conditions have major effects on plantation growth, fiber contains, fiber length, rate between fiber length and fiber width, pulping rate and pulp physics intensity. The best site for L. olgensis industrial plantation growth is site class Ⅰ and site class Ⅱ, which are on lower locations. Site condition has an obvious influence on the wood characteristics. Within the range of site conditions and stand densities studied, the worse the site condition, the less the fiber contains, the shorter the fiber length, and the more the 1% NaOH extraction. This kind of relationship becomes more obvious as stand age increases. However, the influence of site condition on pulping rate and pulp physics intensity is not obvious. The result provides theoretical base for cultivation of industrial fiber plantation of L. olgensis.     

Impact of defoliation caused by the sawfly Cephalcia lariciphila (Hymenoptera: Pamphilidae) on radial growth of larch (Larix decidua Mill.)

The period between 2000 and 2002 repeated outbreaks of the web spinning sawfly Cephalcia lariciphila (Wachtl 1898) around the village of Větrny Jeníkov, Czech Republic. The impact of defoliation, caused by C. lariciphila feeding, on tree-ring formation of European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) was studied using dendrochronological methods. Heavy defoliation resulted in much less growth in the years of insect attack, the average incremental loss being 67% for the 2000–2002 period. Also, defoliation resulted in the formation of latewood with fewer cells and reduced cell-wall thickness.     

塞罕坝华北落叶松人工林立地质量评价

以华北落叶松人工林为研究对象,基于塞罕坝机械林场2012年森林资源二类调查数据,选取立地因子(坡向和土层厚度)和林分因子(树高和林龄),应用统计学方法划分立地类型,利用理查德(Richard)函数拟合立地指数,构建华北落叶松树高曲线,编制地位指数表,并对该区不同林龄(幼龄林、中龄林和近熟林)华北落叶松的6种立地类型进行立地质量评价,结果表明:阳坡中层土和阴坡厚层土立地质量为Ⅰ级,平均立地指数分别为12.15m、11.55m;阳坡厚层土和阴坡中层土立地质量为Ⅱ级,平均立地指数分别为11.39m、11.16m;阴坡薄层土和阳坡薄层土立地质量分别为Ⅲ级和Ⅳ级,平均立地指数分别为10.85m、9.87m。     

Development of height curves for Japanese larch in relation to GIS-derived site index

The objectives of this study were: (1) to relate the height growth pattern to the GIS-derived site index, (2) to construct various types of polymorphic height curves, and (3) to select the most accurate height curve for Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi). A total of 14 dominant trees were felled for stem analysis. Richards' function was first fitted to the height/age dataset recorded from stem analyses of 14 trees, and its parameters (i.e., A, k, and m) were then estimated for each sample tree. The relationship between parameter A and the GIS-derived site index was significant, while that of parameters k and m were not significant. The 12 height curve equation forms developed from the Richards' function were then fitted to the dataset consisting of 563 observations of height, age, and GIS-derived site index derived from 14 trees. All height curves were unbiased and provided an equally good fit. The shape of the height curves differed among sites of different site indices. These results indicated that Richards' function was sufficiently flexible to represent the polymorphic height growth pattern of Japanese larch. Finally, the best-fit height curve was selected so that accurate height growth predictions would be possible at any given age and site.     

THE CONSTRUCTION OF SOME FORESTRY TABLES FOR DAHURIAN LARCH PLANTATIONS

Plantationsofdahurianlarch(LarixgmeIini(Rupr)Rupr.)haveestablishbdandhavebecomeanimportanttimberspeciesintheforestreserveresourcesinthenortheastofChina.Soformingtheforesttableswhichhavehighprecisionformakinglogicalmanagementdecisionsha$beenimportantproblemstobesolvedquicklyinforestrypractice.Uptonow,thereisalackofsystematicforestrytablesfordahurianlarchplantations.Themainpurposeofthispaperistotrytoconstructaseriesofsomeforestrytablesfordahurianlarchplantations.MATERIALSANDMETHODSData…     

Use of GIS-derived environmental factors in predicting site indices in Japanese larch plantations in Hokkaido

The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the effects of environmental factors derived from GIS on tree-height growth of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) and (2) to develop a best-fit regression model for its site index. Based on data from 40 sample plots situated in an even-aged (38 years), pure, and undamaged Japanese larch stand, multiple regression models for a site index of Japanese larch were constructed using environmental factors as independent variables. The average slope gradient, effective relief, distance from ridge, flow accumulation, degree of exposure, shading, solar radiation index, and gravitational water index were used as environmental factors and calculated on GIS using digital elevation model data. These factors were related to the Japanese larch site index through multiple-regression analysis. The result showed that the most effective factor for estimating site index was the degree of exposure. Through a backward stepwise procedure, the degree of exposure, shading, and average slope gradient were selected for a best-fit regression model. This model explained 72% of the variance in site index, with standard error estimates of 1.75 m. This strong relationship suggests that GIS-derived environmental factors can be used to predict site indices of Japanese larch. This study was supported by the experimental forest of Kyushu University.     

Stand structure and composition of a 60-year-old larch (Larix kaempferi) plantation with retained hardwoods

Tree retention is understood as a key practice in creating complexity, leading to heterogeneity in resources and habitats in managed stands. In this article, we clarify the long-term effects of tree retention on stand structure and tree-species composition in a 60-year-old Larix kaempferi plantation in central Japan. In our study plot (1.5 ha) there were 18 stems/ha of retained trees (determined by tree-ring analysis), mostly Quercus crispula. We conducted spatial analyses and tested the hypothesis that tree abundance, size structure, and species composition and diversity change with distance from the retained trees. Near the retained trees, L. kaempferi showed a reduction of 40%–60% in basal area, due presumably to the shading effect. In contrast, the nearby area showed greater species diversity in the canopy layer. The retained trees created patches of different species composition in the understory. The spatial gradient of shade and colonization opportunity provided by retained trees greatly affect the distribution of the colonized species, according to their shade tolerance and seed-dispersal ability, which resulted in the stand structure with a heterogeneous shrub-layer vegetation. Retention proved particularly important for the enhancement and long-term maintenance of structural and compositional complexity in L. kaempferi plantations.     

兴安落叶松材积模型中的异方差研究

为进一步提高兴安落叶松材积模型估计精度,文章选择V=aDbHc为材积模型形式,对模型的异方差性进行了研究。文章分别使用了图示法及戈德菲尔特-夸检验方法证实模型中存在较强的异方差性,并分别以因变量,自变量及模型本身构造权函数,以加权回归估计和普通非线性回归估计方法结果进行对比分析。研究结果表明:加权回归估计优于普通非线性回归估计;在构造的众多权函数中,以权函数1/D2H为最优;并进一步证实不同的模型有不同的最优权函数形式。     

Effect of fluoride pollution on genetic variability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix gmelinii</Emphasis> (Pinaceae) in East Siberia

The genetic variability of four natural populations of Larix gmelinii from East Siberia was determined and compared by RAPD analysis. Comparison of the RAPD profiles provided an estimation of variability in 193 RAPD fragments. More than 89% of these fragments were found to be polymorphic. The main genetic variability parameters of the two populations from Central Yakutia, a region free of fluoride pollution, had considerably higher values than those from East Transbaikalia, a region potentially affected by fluoride pollution (FLU, near a fluorite quarry growing on soils with a high natural content of fluorides). AMOVA revealed that 72.94% of the variation was within populations, while only 7.05% of the variation was between populations within geographical regions. The genetic diversity of the FLU fluoride-tolerant population was the lowest, but only slightly lower than that of a fluoride non-tolerant population from Chita, 50 km distant from FLU. Although this study demonstrates the absence of fundamental alterations of genetic structure within the populations of L. gmelinii growing on soils with a high content of fluorides, it is presumed that the reduction of genetic diversity was the genetic response of the FLU population to such an environmental stress as a constantly high concentration of fluorides within the soil.     

Effect of collar insertion on soil respiration in a larch forest measured with a LI-6400 soil CO2 flux system

Little information is available on the effect of root cutting by the collar pre-insertion technique on soil respiration. In this study, we found that soil respiration rates decreased with increasing depth of collar insertion in both the with live roots intact and with live roots severed treatments, but the rate of decrease was substantially higher in the former. The cutting of roots, especially fine roots, may be responsible for this result.     

Individual-based measurement and analysis of root system development: case studies for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Larix gmelinii</Emphasis> trees growing on the permafrost region in Siberia

We present results of individual-based root system measurement and analysis applied for Larix gmelinii trees growing on the continuous permafrost region of central Siberia. The data of root excavation taken from the three stands were used for the analyses; young (26 years old), mature (105 years old), and uneven-aged over-mature stand (220 years old). In this article, we highlight two topics: (1) factors affecting spatio-temporal pattern of root system development, and (2) interactions between aboveground (i.e., crown) and belowground (i.e., root) competition. For the first topic, the detailed observation of lateral roots was applied to one sample tree of the overmature stand. The tree constructed a superficial (<30 cm in depth) and rather asymmetric root system, and each lateral root expanded mainly into elevated mounds rather than depressed troughs. This indicated that spatial development of an individual root system was largely affected by microtopography (i.e., earth hummocks). For these lateral roots, elongation growth curves were reconstructed using annual-ring data, and annual growth rates and patterns were compared among them. The comparison suggested that temporal root system development is associated with differences in carbon allocation among the lateral roots. For the second topic, we examined relationships between individual crown projection area (CA) and horizontal rooting area (RA) for the sample trees of each stand. RA was almost equal to CA in the young stand, while RA was much larger (three or four times) than CA in the mature and overmature stands. Two measures of stand-level space occupation, crown area index (aboveground: CAI; sum of CAs per unit land area) and rooting area index (belowground: RAI; sum of RAs), were estimated in each stand. The estimates of RAI (1.3–1.8 m² m₋₂) exceeded unity in all stands. In contrast, CAI exceeded unity (1.3 m² m₋₂) only in the young stand, and was much smaller (<0.3 m² m₋₂) in the two older stands. These between-stand differences in RAI–CAI relationships suggest that intertree competition for both aboveground and belowground spaces occurred in the young stand, but only belowground competition still occurred in the two older stands. Based on this finding, we hypothesized that competition below the ground may become predominant as a stand ages in L. gmelinii forests. Methodological limitations of our analysis are also discussed, especially for the analysis using the two indices of space occupation (CAI, RAI).     

Height growth of young larch (Larix kaempferi) in relation to the frequency of deer browsing damage in Hokkaido, Japan

The effect of browsing frequency by Sika deer (Cervus nippon yezoensis) on the height growth of Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi) in Hokkaido, Japan, was analyzed. Tree heights at the time of the census and at the start of the current growing season were determined for 100 trees selected randomly at each site. The tallest shoot on each tree was identified and the number of browsing occurrences on the current-year shoot was determined. Young larches browsed by deer repeatedly develop new shoots during a growing season. Larch is a browsing-tolerant species, and the average height growth of the most heavily browsed trees was >15 cm. Although resprouting partly compensated for decreased height growth caused by browsing, the annual increase in height decreased with increased browsing frequency. Thus, browsing frequency during a growing season best reflects the intensity of browsing damage to larch trees.